Rs 1 Lakh Crore Horticulture Hub Planned to Transform Rayalaseema, Says Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced plans to develop Rayalaseema into a major horticulture centre through a proposed Rs 1 lakh crore Global Horticulture Hub, aimed at expanding cultivation, improving irrigation and raising farmers' incomes.

Naidu, along with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, laid the foundation stone for the project and the Indian School of Agriculture (ISA) at Madanapalle in Annamayya district. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Human Resource Development Minister Nara Lokesh also addressed the gathering.

The Global Horticulture Hub will be implemented in three phases. According to the state government, the Centre is expected to provide Rs 40,352 crore, while around Rs 60,000 crore is proposed to be mobilised from private investment.

The project will cover 10 districts: Anantapur, Annamayya, Chittoor, Kurnool, Nandyal, Sri Sathya Sai, Tirupati, Kadapa, Prakasam and Markapuram.

Development activities are planned across 201 clusters encompassing 303 mandals and 5,869 villages.

The government aims to expand the state's existing horticulture cultivation area from 8.41 lakh hectares to 14.41 lakh hectares by adding another six lakh hectares.

The initiative also targets a substantial increase in horticultural output. Production is projected to rise from the current 222 lakh tonnes to 435 lakh tonnes, with around 9.6 lakh farmers expected to benefit directly.

The project includes plans to create an additional ayacut covering nine lakh acres and stabilise irrigation facilities across another 4.3 lakh acres.

Addressing the gathering, Naidu said the initiative was intended to change the economic prospects of farmers in the drought-prone Rayalaseema region. He said advances in irrigation and agricultural technology could allow farmers to cultivate a wider range of crops, including apples, strawberries, bananas, avocados, kiwis and dates.

The Chief Minister said he envisaged Rayalaseema developing into a major global "fruit bowl" as the horticulture hub takes shape.

Naidu thanked the Centre for its financial support for the project and acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sitharaman for their assistance.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the establishment of the Indian School of Agriculture in Madanapalle, describing it as an institution intended to develop expertise and leadership in the agricultural sector.

Drawing a comparison with institutions such as the IIMs, IITs and the Indian School of Business, Naidu said the ISA would focus on developing professionals and leaders capable of driving advances in agriculture and horticulture.

He also recalled the long-standing water challenges faced by Rayalaseema, particularly Anantapur, which he described as the country's second-driest district.

Naidu said successive irrigation projects initiated during the tenure of former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao were taken forward to address the region's water scarcity. He also highlighted the adoption of drip irrigation and other technologies aimed at improving water-use efficiency.

The state government, he said, has additionally implemented water-conservation measures intended to improve groundwater availability.

Referring to his long political career, Naidu said he had previously been described as the "Hi-tech CM" and "CEO CM", but took particular satisfaction in now being recognised as the "Water Man" for his focus on water management and irrigation.

The Global Horticulture Hub is being positioned by the Andhra Pradesh government as a long-term agricultural development initiative combining expanded cultivation, irrigation infrastructure, technology, private investment and institutional support across Rayalaseema.